New Car: 2013 Nissan Juke Nismo

A quicker version of the quirky Nissan Juke crossover will eventually make its way into U.S. dealerships, the automaker announced today. The Nissan Juke Nismo will make its public debut this weekend at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, on display next to its higher-performance relative, the Juke-R. The Juke Nismo will reach European showrooms by early January 2013, followed by an introduction in Japan and the U.S. at a later date.

The Juke Nismo debuted as a concept last year at the Tokyo Motor Show, sporting unique bodywork and wheels. The aero kit includes new front and rear bumpers, side skirts, and a functional tailgate spoiler intended to control airflow. The aerodynamic enhancements are meant to reduce lift without increasing drag, while unique 18-inch alloy wheels shod with wider tires provide the Juke with increased grip.

Under the hood is a tuned version of the standard Juke’s turbocharged, direct-injected 1.6-liter I-4 engine, which makes 188 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque in U.S.-spec models. Nissan doesn’t provide power figures for the Juke Nismo’s tuned engine, but does say it was inspired by the 1.6-liter engine found in its DeltaWing Le Mans racer. The compact crossover will feature stiffer suspension settings, as well as modifications to its steering for a sportier feel. The vehicle will also receive an improved traction control system and make use of torque vectoring for greater cornering ability.

Production of UK-spec Juke Nismo models will take place at Nissan’s plant in Sunderland, UK, with first deliveries due in January 2013. Though no timeline is given for Juke Nismo availability in the U.S., Nissan says the model will arrive at a later date.

It’s no Juke-R, but would you be interested in a Nissan Juke Nismo over the regular-strength model? Give us your thoughts below.